An old, zoomed-in photograph of US President Donald Trump’s ankle resurfaced on social media on Christmas Day, triggering fresh speculation and sarcastic commentary about his health and finances. The image, which shows a visibly swollen ankle, went viral after being shared by a popular X (formerly Twitter) user, despite it dating back several months.

On Wednesday, an X user with over 70,000 followers, @PopularLiberal, posted the image with a mocking caption suggesting that the 79-year-old had money “stuffed” in his socks. The post quickly gained traction, garnering more than 24,000 likes and over 1,100 reposts within hours. The sarcastic caption read: “TRUMP THINKS HE’S SLICK. THAT’S YOUR TAX MONEY STUFFED IN HIS SOCK. HE SIPHONED THE WHOLE TREASURY STRAIGHT INTO HIS ANKLE.”

The viral post coincided with Christmas celebrations, amplifying its reach and prompting widespread reactions ranging from humour and political criticism to genuine concern over Trump’s health.

Photo not recent, taken months earlier

Despite the renewed attention, the photograph is not recent. The image dates back to a public appearance by Trump in July 2025. However, the lack of context in the viral post led many social media users to assume it was taken during a Christmas Eve event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, where he was photographed attending a dinner in the ballroom.

Several users questioned the authenticity and timing of the image. “Is this photo real? Is Trump’s ankles really that bad? His health overall?” one user asked, reflecting the confusion caused by the resurfaced photograph.

Another user expressed scepticism, writing, “I want the entire photo. Sorry but we can’t trust anything anymore. We know he has oedema but this is even worse than before.” Such comments highlighted growing mistrust on social media and the ease with which old images can be repurposed to create misleading narratives.

AI chatbot Grok responds to claims

Amid the speculation, one user sought clarification from xAI’s chatbot, Grok. The AI responded by confirming that the photo appeared genuine but was not recent. According to Grok, the image showed Trump’s swollen ankle from a July 2025 event and was linked to his previously disclosed medical condition.

“The photo appears genuine, showing Donald Trump’s swollen ankle from a July 2025 event. It’s linked to his diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition causing mild leg swelling,” Grok stated. The chatbot also noted that official reports have described Trump’s overall health as excellent.

Trump’s health and official statements

Earlier this year, the White House had addressed public concerns after Trump underwent a medical examination due to swelling in his legs. Officials confirmed that he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which veins struggle to efficiently return blood from the legs to the heart, often leading to swelling.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the time that Trump underwent a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies” conducted by the White House Medical Unit. The evaluation was aimed at ruling out more serious conditions.

The White House physician later clarified that there was “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease.” Lab tests were reported to be “within normal limits,” and doctors found no signs of heart failure, kidney impairment, or any systemic illness.

In October 2025, Trump reportedly also underwent an MRI, which showed normal results, further reassuring supporters and the public about his health status.

Social media and misinformation concerns

The episode has once again highlighted how older images can resurface online and spark controversy when shared without context. Political figures, particularly high-profile leaders like Trump, often become targets of viral posts that mix satire, criticism, and misinformation.

While some users viewed the post as political humour, others raised concerns about spreading misleading health narratives, especially when official medical information is already available.

Conclusion

The viral image of Donald Trump’s ankle circulating on Christmas Day is not new and does not indicate any fresh health issue. The swelling shown in the photograph has already been medically explained as part of a diagnosed and monitored condition. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of context and verification in an era where old photos can quickly fuel new controversies online.